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Anyone who has experienced a Tallahassee summer knows that the heat and humidity can be brutal. If your air conditioner is not functioning correctly, it can be impossible to be comfortable in your Chattanooga, TN home. The best way to prevent a complete air conditioner breakdown during the hottest time of the year is to be able to recognize the signs that you need to call a professional in AC repair. The longer you wait to have your air conditioner repaired, the worse the problem can become. Eventually, a repair won’t help, and you will need to have a new system installed. Not only is this inconvenient, but it can also be very expensive. If you call for repairs right away, there is a good chance that the issue can be repaired. Below are a few signs that you should look for that will tell you that it is time to call a professional in AC repair.
#1 The Air Isn’t Getting Cold Enough
If the air coming from your system’s vents is not coming out as cold as it should be, you should call a professional in AC repair. Because it isn’t getting cold enough in your Chattanooga, TN home, your air conditioning system will need to work overtime. This will cause undue stress on your system and also increase your energy bills drastically. If the air isn’t coming out cold, you will need the knowledge and expertise of a professional who specializes in repairs. The problem could be due to a broken condenser, a leak in the ducts, a faulty thermostat, or leaking or low refrigerant. It would take the help of a professional to determine what is causing the problem and then make the necessary repairs.
#2 Poor Airflow
When your air conditioner is set on high, the airflow should be strong. If the airflow is weak, you should contact a professional in AC repair immediately. There are a few issues that could be causing the problem. It could be something simple like a dirty air filter or dust and debris in the ducts. The problem could be something more serious such as a bad blower motor or a faulty fan control board. Until an HVAC tech inspects the system, you won’t know what is causing the problem. The sooner you call a professional, the sooner the airflow will be strong again.
#3 Strange Sounds Coming From the Unit
When your air conditioner is running, you shouldn’t hear anything. You may hear a clicking sound when the system kicks on and off, but that is about it. If you are hearing strange noises coming from the unit such as grinding, a screeching, or a banging sound, you should call a professional in AC repair. These sounds indicate that there is something wrong inside the unit, such as a loose belt, a broken component, or a buildup of debris. If you allow the problem to persist, significant damage can be caused inside the unit. To prevent a complete system breakdown, you should call a professional in repairs as soon as you notice the strange sounds.
#4 Strange Smells
You shouldn’t smell anything strange when your air conditioning system is running. When you turn it on for the first time, you could smell dust. This is due to the dust that has accumulated in the vents during the winter. After a minute or two, the smell will disappear. There are certain smells that are signs that there is something wrong with the air conditioning system. If it smells like something is burning when you turn the AC on, the wire insulation could be burned out. If you are smelling a moldy smell, there could be mold or mildew building up in the ductwork. This can make the air quality in your home dangerous for breathing. As soon as you notice a foul smell coming from your air conditioning system, you should call a professional in AC repair.
#5 Leaking
When your air conditioner is running, there should never be any water or condensation leaking. If there is, you should call a professional as soon as possible. The leak could be due to a broken or blocked condenser drain. If you allow the problem to persist, you could end up with a mold issue. The leak could also be leaking refrigerant. This is a serious problem. Coolant is not safe for animals or small children, and the problem should be repaired as quickly as possible. If the problem is a refrigerant leak and your air conditioning system is old, you may need to replace the unit. Older units use a refrigerant called R22. Because this type of refrigerant is toxic and harmful to the environment, it has been phased out by the government. There is a good chance that your HVAC tech won’t be able to find R22 refrigerant. If they can find the refrigerant, it will be incredibly expensive. In cases like this, the tech will suggest that you replace your existing system with one that does not require R22.
#6 Unusually High Energy Bills
If you notice that your summertime energy bills are significantly higher than usual, you should call a professional in HVAC repair. If your system is not functioning correctly, it will need to work twice as hard to keep your home cool, and it will cause an increase in your energy bill. The sooner you call a professional in AC repair, the sooner your bill will decrease.
If you are experiencing any issues with your air conditioning system, you should call the professionals at Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air as soon as possible. We have been serving residential and commercial customers in Chattanooga and the north Georgia area since 1989. Each of our HVAC technicians is licensed and insured. They have the knowledge and experience necessary to find the source of the problem and make the necessary repairs. If you are in need of AC repair, give us a call today.
